The Gift of a Family Ch 14. Why Don't Scooby Plans Ever Work Out As Planned?
Thanks to Sulien and Polgara for your help and beta-ing.
Still don't own Buffy or Stargate.
Italics are thoughts
Bold Italics are mental telepathy.
A ghostly moon moved out from behind a cloud silhouetting Jack's form in silver. He hid behind a mausoleum with a bush at his back. Jack peeked around the corner and accross the street to where Wesley sat in plain sight, he was wearing military fatigues and trying to look as much like an easy mark, who was also experienced in battle as he could. He was pretending to read a newspaper while waiting for a bus. Buffy was on the roof of the building next to where Wesley sat, and Daniel was on another roof several buildings over.
I don't like this plan at all Jack thought out loud to the others wondering if the spell Buffy and Wesley had cast would really work.
You didn't suggest a better one. Wesley's voice spoke in his mind.
I did so! Jack contradicted the man.
That wasn't a plan it was the start of World War Three. Buffy's voice retorted in his mind.
Ever the peace maker Daniel interrupted before Jack could make a comeback on a very familiar argument. Hey Jack, this method of staying in contact could really come in handy at work.
I still don't see why he gets to be the bait. Jack sulked ignoring Daniels attempt to change the subject.
Buffy rolled her eyes at this familiar complaint. Because, he has killed vampires before, he knows the score, and he is used to playing bait.
But he is a civilian. If anybody should be risking themselves like this it should be me. It's my job to protect this country. Jack stated what he felt was the best argument.
Yes, but not from vampires. That is my job. Buffy stated.
Jack, let it go. Daniel advised his friend.
It was silent for a long moment as Jack started grinding his teeth in frustration.
Wes, Buffy's voice sounded hesitant in his mind. Are you sure you are up for this? I can always go beat up Willy again.
Buffy, I'm fine. Angel uses me for bait all the time. I'm used to it. You have me loaded with hidden stakes and holy water. Plus I always have the panic word to call for help.
What word is that? Daniel asked wondering what part of the plan he had missed.
Actually it would be two words; 'Buffy help,' shouted out with great gusto and panic. Wesley answered the linguist.
He isn't even American, who is going to believe that he is an American soldier? Jack picked his argument back up. and it's obvious he isn't military, I can tell from all the way over here that he is in a costume. A vampire would have to be drunk to be fooled into thinking he is military.
Now see here, I can pass as military! Wesley stated in indignation.
Yeah, until you say something like 'now see here.' Try saying something in English. Buffy advised him.
Wesleys voice sounded rather irritated. I do speak English.
You know what I mean, American English, not the stuffy British language you know. Try speaking with an American accent, Buffy said.
Considering for a moment, Wesley thought of the sweet Texan, Fred. "Ya'all have the sharpest teeth I've eva' seen." Wesley attempted to speak out loud to the amusement of Buffy and Daniel who could hear him talking. It came out as a cross between Brittish English, Texan and Cajun.
That's horrible Wes, maybe you should play mute. Buffy advised as she was laughing.
Jack I think that those might be vampires that are closing in on your position. Daniels voice interrupted the laughter.
Lay low and let them pass you by. Buffy stated suddenly all business. She wished that Jack had agreed to get on top of the mausoleum it would have been safer from the vampires that were drawing near to his position. He wanted to be on the ground where he could get to Wesley quickly if anything went wrong.
Hopefully they will take the bait. Buffy thought to herself looking down at Wesley in his green fatigues below, as a thought started to bother her. Hey Wes, how did they know about Jack and Daniel? Somehow the vampires knew that they were in the cemetery and that they were battle blood. We dressed you up so they would think that you are military, but not everyone in the military has been in a battle. Jack and Daniel weren't even dressed like that and they knew. So, how did they know to go after Jack and Daniel, and how do we know they will go after you?
Wesley's eyes grew large at the realization. "Why didn't I think of that before!?!" He cried out loud. Jack, if you can get out of there they must be using some kind of locator spell. They probably already know that you are there.
Too late. Jack's voice seemed to whisper to their minds. They are right on top of my position and seem to be looking for me.
Crap, Jack lie low. I'm coming. Buffy cried out to him and jumped off the roof she was on. Rolling to her feet she took off running towards Jack's position with all her slayer swiftness, all the while wondering why it was that Scooby plans never seem to go as planned. Even in the cartoon they never work the way they were supposed to. She wondered if it was because she was just bad at the whole plan thing or if it was the curse of calling her support the Scooby Gang.
No, Buffy, stay back. I'll be the bait. Jack stated.
You didn't like that plan.
It's not my favorite. But it is a good plan. I like it better this way with me playing the bait. I have experience with over the top bad guys.
Why do you like it better this way? Buffy asked.
Wesley is the only other person in our group, besides you, that has killed vampires. You want to have the strongest and most experienced free to do the rescuing. Jack replied.
Jack, by your reasoning I should be the one playing bait. Daniel pointed out.
I don't think so, Danny boy, you're a little too good at playing prisoner, or have you forgotten your little trip to Hondo so soon? It sounded like Jack was about to say something else, probably something embarrassing about how Daniel was captured by guerrillas, but was cut off. Buffy could clearly hear the sounds of a fight and struggled to hold herself back from rushing in to save Jack. Crouching low to the ground she creptforward towards the cemetery.
Jack had been crouched in the shadows of the Mausoleum behind a bush pointing out why it was good that Daniel was safely out of harms way, when he was found by one of the vampires who were looking for him.
Not one to ever go quietly, Jack was determined to take a few of them down. The less for his daughter to worry about, the better, was one of his new mottos. Jack thrust his stake into the vampire who had found him and watched in amazement as it disintegrated before his eyes.
Jack paused for a moment. "Cool." Much cleaner than killing Jaffa or Goa'uld. Turning, he found that he was surrounded by a number of the creatures. All of them had their brow ridges prominent as well as their eyes shining like beacons in the night.
"Surrender foolish human." The one he remembered to be called Dagger said.
"Hmm." Jack pretended to think about it for a moment. "Na, that's too cliche, it's not really my style." he stated and threw a bottle of holy water at him. The sound of breaking glass and Dagger's screaming as the water burned him like acid was like the starting bullet at a race, and Jack was the finish line. Instantly, the 7 other vampires rushed him. Jack threw two more bottles of holy water at the oncoming mob, and managed to dust another vampire when arms like steel bands grabbed him.
These were creatures his daughter had to fight, he realized. Creatures that made her life like a nightmare. Anger he hadn't experienced since Charlie's death welled within him, giving him a moment of unnatural strength. Jack broke free of his captors and rolled to his knees, he was in a perfect position to shoot the remaining vampires, unfortunately that wouldn't have done anything even if he had a gun to use. So, rising to his feet, he ignored the tight feeling in his knees and rushed towards the creatures with his stake ready at his side.
The vampires stood in shock that a human would turn to fight them instead of running away, especially after seeing their true faces. This gave Jack a great advantage and two more vampires were nothing but dust on the wind before the rest of them finally rallied.
Not bothering to watch the dust show of the latest vampire he had killed, Jack moved forward intent on getting as many of the bloodsuckers as he could before he was taken down. He smiled ferally at the next vampire he was planning to stake when a powerful blow from behind threw him to the ground. The air was knocked from his lungs, but Jack rolled over just managing to avoid a kick to his head that probably would have killed him. It looked like it would have killed him judging by the indentation in the ground where his head used to be.
Hmm, maybe pissing off the vampires that I am going to let catch me isn't such a good idea. He thought to himself just as another vamp kicked him in the stomach. Powerful arms pulled him into an upright position.
Jack tried desperately to get his feet under him as he saw Dagger stalking towards him. Death and hatred were glowing in his eyes and the entire left side of his face was covered in what looked like acid burns.
I am so dead, Jack thought to himself, even as he smirked at the irate vampire.
Dagger stalked to within a few inches of Jack and thrust his hand to the back of Jacks head, his sharp nails digging bloody furrows into his scalp. Dagger looked Jack in the eyes.
"If we didn't need you for the ritual, I would take great pleasure in torturing you to death."
"Hmm, too bad you need me for this ritual thing. It's been a while since I was tortured to death." Jack couldn't help taunting. At least he could only do it once, Jack thought to himself. Now he only had to worry about not becoming a blood sacrifice to bring a hell beast into the world. That, and directing Buffy, Daniel and Wesley where to go to save the day.
"Bring him." Dagger growled and turned, leading the four remaining vampires to drag Jack along with them.
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